Home Health Center Stomach Cancer   Stomach Cancer - Treatment

Treatment for Stomach Cancer



Treatment for stomach cancer will depend on the size of the tumor, its location, your general health and the stage of the cancer. Treatment can include:

  • Radiation therapy (usually given in combination with chemotherapy)
  • Chemotherapy (may be administered before and after surgery to kill the cancer cells)
  • Gastrostomy to remove the affected parts of the stomach
  • Partial gastrostomy is performed on tumors in the lower stomach
  • Total gastrostomy is the only option for tumors in the upper stomach. In such a procedure the entire stomach is removed along with parts of the small intestine, esophagus, nearby lymph nodes and the tumors
  • Clinical trials to study new treatment methods are also an option for people at any stage of stomach cancer
Stomach surgery comes with its own set of side effects and complications such as bleeding, infections, diarrhea, constipation, weakness, and pain. Medications are normally prescribed post surgery to deal with these ailments. Recovery time can vary from person to person but will require some amount of time spent in hospital.

Treating stomach cancer generally requires the inputs and experience of medical specialists. These could include gastroenterologists, surgeons, oncologists, and radiation oncologists. In addition to these, stomach cancer patients also need to consult with a trained dietician or nutritionist. 
Prognosis
Diet
References
  1. Chia-Jung Chiang, Hoda Kadouh, Kequan Zhou, Phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties of gooseberry as affected by in vitro digestion, LWT - Food Science and Technology, Volume 51, Issue 2, May 2013, Pages 417-422, ISSN 0023-6438, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2012.11.014.
  2. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0023643812004628)